Improvement in leggings



A. P. SMITH.

Improvement in Leggings.

N0.127,652. P atentedjune 4,1872.

/ M41, fax? Wistwesses 'M%.Q4 I v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AUGUSTUS P. SMITH, OF ROCK FALLS, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN LEGGINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 127,652, dated J une 4, 1872.

SPECIFICATION. To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AUGUSTUS P. SMITH, of Rock Falls, county of Whitesides, State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Leggings; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, in which the figure is a side elevation of a legging with my supports attached thereto, aportion of the material of which the legging is made being broken away, showing the manner of securing the supports thereto.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts.

The nature of my invention consists in a spring composed of a narrow strip of sheet metal, whalebone, or other suitable material, which .is secured vertically between the material or fabric of which the legging is made and the lining thereof, and upon the front and back thereof, whereby the proper and desired the legging is made on both sides of each of said supports or springs; and for the purpose of preventing such springs or supports from slipping out of position up or down, I insert above the upper and below the lower end of each a metallic --rivet or button, B, extending through the material and lining of the legging, and which is securely riveted or otherwise fastened upon the inside thereof. The front support is extended downward to the extremity of the legging forming the instep.

In the leggings now in ordinary use as a covering for the stocking and shoe, more especiallyfor childrens wear, the material of which the legging is made will not, after being used for a short time, retain a smooth and upright position, but will fall in wrinkles or folds about the ankle and foot, whereas, by the use of the supports as described, the legging will always retain a smooth upright position, and is held snug to and over the foot, renderin g it a protection to the foot and ankle against cold and inclement weather. 1

Many devices have been stayed by the use of narrow springs which fit into suitable pockets made for such purpose. Boot-legs have been provided with springs on the sides to prevent the leather from wrinkling or falling down. A stocking has been made with a pocket for the reception of a spring on its rear portion. Other illustrations might be given showing the use of a steel spring for this purpose; hence, I do not wish to be understood as broadly claiming such as my invention. The main object with me has been to improve upon the ordinary legging, and to do this I have resorted to the use of the narrow spring hereinbefore described.

The difficulties heretofore experienced in leggings (more particularly childrens) have been to keep them in a neat dress shape, and to keep them well up on the limb of the wearer. To remedy these defects I bend the springs into such shape as to conform tothe cloth or material composing the legging,-and secure the same in a pocket on the front and rear by means of small rivets, so that the legging when completed presents a neat and tidy appearance and will remain in its normal form. The rivets are so connected that the springs cannot slip out of the position in which they are placed, and the proper bend will be preserved.

' Having thus described the nature and object of my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

As an article of manufacture, a legging opened at the side, and stayed in position by front and rear longitudinal springs shaped to suit the contour of the leg and foot at such points, and secured to the legging.

' The foregoing specification signed by me this 31st day of July, A. D. 1871.

AUGUSTUS P. SMITH.

Nitnesses N. 0. GRIDLEY,

N. H. SHERBURNE. 

